Chapter Summaries

Jiang Yan Hai led a dawn assault on the enemy camp, killing hidden snipers and attacking fighters as his team struck. He joined the firefight with an M4A1 and rapidly overwhelmed enemies across the battlefield.

• Jiang Yan Hai and his team identified enemy sentries and waited for Carlos to confirm the targets.
• Jiang Yan Hai ordered Red Fox and Vulture to attack the nearest buildings and gave the team the signal to move.
• Two mountain snipers killed the enemy sentries, and Jiang Yan Hai located and shot both snipers before warning White Headed Eagle and Hummingbird about their spotters.
• The team launched its assault, and Team Two threw a grenade at the hidden sentry in the grain pile.
• Jiang Yan Hai shot enemies in a jeep and a building, then threw two grenades near the anti-aircraft gun and destroyed a group of attackers.
• Jiang Yan Hai switched to his M4A1 and charged into the battle, killing enemies with rapid, precise fire.

Jiang Yan Hai led Black Lion and his team through the enemy camp, overwhelming the defenders and destroying an RPG before they could fire. When Kahun surrendered, Jiang Yan Hai recognized him as the man responsible for murdering an Anti-drug Police officer’s family and faced him with the crimes in mind.

• Jiang Yan Hai charged into the enemy encirclement and killed the desperadoes with rapid headshots, while Black Lion and his companions followed.
• Jiang Yan Hai threw grenades into a building and later detonated an enemy’s RPG with two shots, allowing the team to continue advancing.
• Jiang Yan Hai and the others joined Ground Assault Team Two and swept through the camp, with Inov using his Gatling gun to destroy stubborn strongpoints.
• Kahun surrendered from the last building, and Jiang Yan Hai recognized him as the man who had the family of an Anti-drug Police officer burned alive.

Jiang Yan Hai’s team cleared Kahun’s camp and found a tortured Thai police officer, who asked Jiang Yan Hai to end his suffering. Jiang Yan Hai killed the officer, then restrained Kahun and began enclosing the officer’s corpse in an iron cage beside him.

• Jiang Yan Hai ordered his team to search the battlefield, and they returned with five surviving enemies.
• White Hair Inov told Jiang Yan Hai they had found a private interrogation room and a police officer inside.
• Jiang Yan Hai found the dying Thai officer and granted his request for a quick death.
• Jiang Yan Hai had Kahun brought into the torture chamber and shackled him in place.
• Jiang Yan Hai put the officer’s corpse in an iron cage and wrapped the cage in wire while Kahun watched.

Jiang Yan Hai finished hunting down the enemy spotter and arranged a cruel punishment for Kahun, then revealed Kahun’s hidden fortune. He refused to take a share, leaving Black Lion and the others to decide how to handle the gold and cash.

• Jiang Yan Hai told Black Lion and the others to control the battlefield, then went to deal with the enemy spotter White Headed Eagle had pinned down.
• Jiang Yan Hai shot the spotter from the forest and disappeared into the jungle before returning with a sack of rats.
• Jiang Yan Hai locked Kahun in a room with the rats and a corpse, leaving him the key inside.
• Jiang Yan Hai directed Black Lion to search the storage room, where Red Fox and Inov found Kahun’s hidden cash and gold.
• Black Lion offered Jiang Yan Hai half the fortune, but Jiang Yan Hai refused and told them to burn it if they would not take it.

Jiang Yan Hai stayed behind after Black Lion’s group withdrew, ensuring Kahun remained trapped in the basement before returning to Ma Yun Fei. He joined Ma Yun Fei for a New Year celebration and privately sang along to “My People, My Country.”

• Jiang Yan Hai refused Black Lion’s offer to join his mercenary group but said he might consider it when they left in about a month.
• Black Lion and his men departed, and Jiang Yan Hai concealed the basement entrance and stayed behind to prevent anyone from rescuing Kahun.
• Ma Yun Fei’s men looted the camp and cleared the battlefield while Jiang Yan Hai waited as Kahun suffered in the basement.
• Jiang Yan Hai returned a day later, and Ma Yun Fei invited him to celebrate the coming New Year and offered him a gift.
• Jiang Yan Hai heard “My People, My Country” playing in a shop, told Ma Yun Fei there was no need to turn it off, and silently sang along as they walked on.

Jiang Yan Hai warned Ma Yun Fei against expanding Ma Gang into the northern market, then left the Golden Triangle and returned to China with intelligence and a jade stone. Back in the provincial capital, he reported to Fan Tian Lei and faced Director Qiao’s question about Ma Gang.

• Jiang Yan Hai told Ma Yun Fei he was leaving and advised him not to expand into the northern market, warning that a great power could destroy Ma Gang if it crossed the line.
• Ma Yun Fei accepted the advice and gave Jiang Yan Hai ten million US dollars in laundered funds, which Jiang Yan Hai accepted.
• Jiang Yan Hai left the next day, traveled through Myanmar, and bought a semi-gamble jade stone using the Intermediate Scanning System.
• Jiang Yan Hai evaded trackers, crossed back into China through the jungle, and was secretly taken to the provincial capital.
• Fan Tian Lei welcomed Jiang Yan Hai back, and Director Qiao asked whether Jiang Yan Hai had been behind the Ma Gang matter.

Jiang Yan Hai briefed Director Qiao and Fan Tian Lei on Black Star and explained how it might help expose the Sandstorm Organization. He planned to investigate a possible Sandstorm connection in the Republic of Evia before returning for another mission.

• Jiang Yan Hai reported how he had established Black Star within Ma Gang, prompting Director Qiao and Fan Tian Lei to warn that a powerful gang could become difficult to control.
• Jiang Yan Hai explained that Ma Gang could turn the Golden Triangle Special Zone into a secure base and draw the Sandstorm Organization into the open.
• Jiang Yan Hai said he might travel with the Blood Wolf Mercenary Group to the Republic of Evia to investigate William, who allegedly had dirty-bomb technology and ties to Sandstorm.
• Fan Tian Lei and Director Qiao approved the trip and said covert personnel could assist Jiang Yan Hai if he made major discoveries.
• Jiang Yan Hai asked about his Special Forces 1st Battalion assignment, and Fan Tian Lei told him they would discuss it after the mission before sending him off on leave for the New Year.

After his assessment, Jiang Yan Hai accepted Fan Tian Lei’s offer to stay at his apartment and bought tools to carve a gift for Li Ruo Bai. He spent two days sculpting her likeness from glass jade and Imperial Green, then admired the finished figure.

• Four officials completed Jiang Yan Hai’s assessment but refused to share the results with Fan Tian Lei because his clearance was insufficient.
• Fan Tian Lei gave Jiang Yan Hai the keys to his apartment and told him to stay there and put up Spring Festival couplets.
• Jiang Yan Hai bought jade-cutting and carving tools, cleaned Fan Tian Lei’s dusty apartment, and uncovered a piece of glass jade with Imperial Green inside.
• Jiang Yan Hai studied carving techniques, used the Intermediate Scanning System to model the jade, and spent two days carving a lifelike figure of Li Ruo Bai.

On New Year’s Eve, Jiang Yan Hai prepared to visit Li Ruo Bai and arranged for Fan Tian Lei’s people to locate her. After confirming she was at her parents’ villa, Jiang Yan Hai worried about what to bring Li Yun Feng and Li Ruo Bai’s mother, and Fan Tian Lei offered to send him gifts.

• Jiang Yan Hai put Spring Festival couplets on Old Fan’s home and called the number Fan Tian Lei had sent him to ask where Li Ruo Bai was.
• A man in a truck tracked Li Ruo Bai’s phone and had a security guard confirm that she was inside her parents’ villa.
• Jiang Yan Hai learned Li Ruo Bai was at the villa and wondered what gifts to bring her family.
• Jiang Yan Hai asked Fan Tian Lei for gift advice, and Fan Tian Lei said he would have someone deliver gifts for him to carry over.

Jiang Yan Hai visited Li Yun Feng’s home for the New Year and brought gifts, including rare Da Hong Pao tea that impressed his host. He learned that Li Yun Feng’s wife and Ruoruo had gone shopping and would return to make dumplings.

• Jiang Yan Hai accepted two gift bags from Fan Tian Lei’s messenger and waited until after lunch before leaving.
• Jiang Yan Hai registered at the villa complex and rang Li Yun Feng’s doorbell.
• Li Yun Feng welcomed Jiang Yan Hai inside, gave him slippers, and accepted his gifts for himself and his wife.
• Li Yun Feng recognized the tea as coming from the Mother Tree of Da Hong Pao and eagerly prepared to brew it.
• Li Yun Feng told Jiang Yan Hai that Ruoruo, her mother, and the housekeeper had gone to the supermarket and would return to make dumplings.

Jiang Yan Hai spoke with Li Yun Feng about his relationship with Li Ruo Bai and the dangers of his military work, then helped him tidy the backyard. The chapter ended with Li Ruo Bai and the other women returning home, while Jiang Yan Hai and Li Yun Feng were still outside.

• Li Yun Feng warned Jiang Yan Hai to stay safe on missions and not burden Li Ruo Bai with dangers beyond his control, and Jiang Yan Hai promised to take responsibility.
• Li Yun Feng invited Jiang Yan Hai to spend New Year with the family and asked him to help clean the backyard.
• As they worked, Li Yun Feng talked about Li Ruo Bai's childhood and learned that Jiang Yan Hai had earned a bachelor's degree by age twenty after skipping grades.
• Li Ruo Bai and the other women returned home with their purchases, and Li Ruo Bai called for her father to carry them.

Jiang Yan Hai surprised Li Ruo Bai by arriving at her family home for New Year's, where he helped prepare dumpling filling. Li Ruo Bai's parents welcomed him into their preparations as the young couple reunited.

• Li Ruo Bai's mother sent Sister Wang home for the New Year while Li Ruo Bai helped carry the groceries inside.
• Li Yun Feng revealed that he had found someone to chop the dumpling filling, and Jiang Yan Hai greeted Li Ruo Bai's mother in the backyard.
• Li Ruo Bai rushed into Jiang Yan Hai's arms when she saw him, then blushed and followed him and her mother into the kitchen.
• Jiang Yan Hai used his Intermediate Scanning System to chop the meat quickly while Li Ruo Bai washed vegetables beside him.
• Li Ruo Bai's mother teased the pair and rewashed the vegetables, then Li Yun Feng called out that he had heard her joking about him.

Jiang Yan Hai spent New Year with Li Ruo Bai and her family, helping them prepare dumplings and sharing a warm domestic gathering. As they worked together, he realized he was experiencing the feeling of home for the first time.

• Li Ruo Bai and Jiang Yan Hai teased each other while preparing the dumpling filling, and he showed her his vocal mimicry.
• Li Ruo Bai's mother and Li Yun Feng discussed Jiang Yan Hai's return for New Year and teased each other about getting older and feeling jealous.
• Jiang Yan Hai kissed Li Ruo Bai's forehead, and Li Yun Feng kissed Li Ruo Bai's mother on the cheek, leaving both women embarrassed.
• Jiang Yan Hai prepared the filling and wrappers while Li Ruo Bai and her parents made the dumplings with him.
• Jiang Yan Hai reflected that the warmth of a home offered something the army could not.

Jiang Yan Hai spent New Year's Eve with Li Ruo Bai and her family before the two left for her home to celebrate together. They arrived at her decorated house and decided to watch the Spring Festival Gala.

• Jiang Yan Hai reassured Li Yun Feng that he would treat Li Ruo Bai well and take responsibility for spoiling her.
• Li Ruo Bai and Jiang Yan Hai shared a New Year's dinner with her parents, then announced they were going out for the night.
• Li Ruo Bai took the Mercedes keys, and she and Jiang Yan Hai drove away while her parents accepted that they wanted to spend New Year's together.
• Li Yun Feng and Li Ruo Bai's mother reflected on Jiang Yan Hai's sacrifices and watched the Spring Festival Gala at home.
• Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai arrived at her decorated home, where she said they would watch the Spring Festival Gala.

Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai spent New Year's Eve watching the Spring Festival Gala before playing video games together. At midnight, they exchanged promises of love, shared their first kiss, and Jiang Yan Hai asked to sleep at her place again.

• Li Ruo Bai grew bored of the Spring Festival Gala and set up her Xbox so she and Jiang Yan Hai could play Rayman.
• Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai laughed and played together until midnight, then wished each other a happy New Year.
• Jiang Yan Hai gave Li Ruo Bai a jade statue he had carved to resemble her, and she embraced him.
• Li Ruo Bai kissed Jiang Yan Hai and told him she loved him, and he returned her confession.
• Li Ruo Bai asked where Jiang Yan Hai would sleep, and he suggested staying at her place again.

On New Year’s Eve, Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai spent the night together, with Jiang Yan Hai choosing to sleep in the living room because he feared losing control. The next morning they returned to Li Ruo Bai’s family home for dumplings and New Year greetings.

• Li Ruo Bai teased Jiang Yan Hai about their past, and he reassured her that he loved her.
• Jiang Yan Hai reflected on the people who sacrificed time with their families to protect the country’s peace.
• Li Ruo Bai invited Jiang Yan Hai to share her bedroom, but he chose to sleep in the living room because he feared he could not restrain himself.
• Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai drove to her family home for breakfast on New Year’s Day.
• Li Yun Feng gave Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai red envelopes, and Li Ruo Bai’s mother welcomed them to the table for dumplings.

Li Ruo Bai and Jiang Yan Hai changed into matching outfits designed by Li Yun Feng, then left to shop for accessories. Li Ruo Bai tried to protect Jiang Yan Hai from public attention, while he knew security cars were already following them.

• Li Ruo Bai's mother asked Li Ruo Bai and Jiang Yan Hai to go upstairs and try on the clothes she said Li Yun Feng had designed.
• Li Ruo Bai's mother realized Jiang Yan Hai had brought Li Yun Feng a valuable gift, and Li Yun Feng reluctantly agreed to share his good tea.
• Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai changed into matching black hoodies with city names printed on the back.
• Li Ruo Bai picked sunglasses and a scarf for Jiang Yan Hai, teased Li Yun Feng, and left the villa with him.
• Li Ruo Bai told Jiang Yan Hai to keep his sunglasses on at the mall, while he noticed that security cars were following them.

Jiang Yan Hai took Li Ruo Bai to a mall, where his unseen followers dealt with a man carrying a hidden camera. At the arcade, Jiang Yan Hai used his sharp judgment to win Li Ruo Bai the Giant Panda plush she wanted and then won another toy.

• Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai went to a different commercial center and headed into the mall to play claw machines.
• Jiang Yan Hai noticed several people following them and spotted a man carrying a hidden camera as he moved close to Li Ruo Bai.
• Jiang Yan Hai’s followers carried out Plan Three, and two men attacked the man with the camera while Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai continued upstairs.
• Li Ruo Bai led Jiang Yan Hai to a ribbon-cutting prize machine and pointed out the Giant Panda plush she wanted.
• Jiang Yan Hai judged the glass’s slight distortion, cut the string, and won the Giant Panda plush for Li Ruo Bai.
• Li Ruo Bai asked for another toy, and Jiang Yan Hai used the same method to win a smaller plush.

Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai enjoyed the arcade together, then stood up for their place in line at the Dancing Machine. When an entitled man tried to cut in and trip Jiang Yan Hai, he ended up with his pants split and his legs forced into a full split.

• Jiang Yan Hai won a teddy bear for a little girl, and he and Li Ruo Bai followed her until they saw her reunite with her mother.
• Li Ruo Bai teased Jiang Yan Hai about having a daughter someday, then asked him to join her at the Dancing Machine.
• Li Ruo Bai paid for two songs, and she and Jiang Yan Hai waited their turn while Jiang Yan Hai flirted with her.
• A man tried to cut ahead of them and offered Jiang Yan Hai two hundred yuan for their spot, but Jiang Yan Hai refused and took Li Ruo Bai to the machine.
• The man discreetly stuck out his foot to trip Jiang Yan Hai, but Jiang Yan Hai kept walking and the man's pants split as his legs were forced into a full split.

Jiang Yan Hai and Li Ruo Bai dealt with a man who tried to trip Jiang Yan Hai, then fled after four men unexpectedly addressed Jiang Yan Hai as their young master. They decided to go to a movie, and Li Ruo Bai pretended to twist her ankle so Jiang Yan Hai would carry her there.

• Jiang Yan Hai turned the man's attempt to trip him against him, and Li Ruo Bai defended Jiang Yan Hai when the man's girlfriend complained.
• The man threatened Jiang Yan Hai, but four men appeared and asked if their young master was alright, leaving the crowd stunned.
• Jiang Yan Hai gave the four men his tokens and dolls, then left with Li Ruo Bai as the men stayed behind.
• Li Ruo Bai bought movie tickets at a nearby cinema, then pretended to twist her ankle and asked Jiang Yan Hai to carry her.
• Jiang Yan Hai carried Li Ruo Bai toward the movie theater.